Hospital requests rezone, plans expansion

St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital is planning an expansion, and in the process has leased a building at the southeast corner of Bell and Tenth Streets.

Carmen Bourlon

St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital is planning an expansion, and in the process has leased a building at the southeast corner of Bell and Tenth Streets.

This building will be used to house the account services department and some of the health information management staff, Linda Brown, Vice-President of Support Services, said.

Some of the new services planned for the hospital include a women’s center, inpatient surgery, and an intensive care unit, Brown said.

In addition to the renovation, the hospital is requesting a rezone from the city of Shawnee, which will appear on the next Planning Commission agenda.

City Planner Justin Erickson explained that this is necessary because current zoning for the hospital is limited in what can be placed on the lots. The new zoning will allow for more flexibility regarding what can be placed in the area, Erickson said.

He added that the planned height of the new building exceeded what was allowed under the current zoning, but would be within the requested zoning requirement.

The renovations would add an additional third floor, which would house the Intensive Care Unit, as well as a penthouse for electrical and mechanical equipment for the additions and air handling systems, according to the proposal submitted to the planning department.

The Planning Commission will consider the rezoning request at their May 1 meeting at Shawnee City Hall in Commission Chambers.